CELEBRATING A TAPESTRY OF LIFE

By Juanita Torrence-Thompson

ęCopyright by Juanita Torrence-Thompson

JUANITA TORRENCE-THOMPSON is a poet/writer/speaker whose award-winning
work appears in U.S. and Canadian journals and online. See her poetry
and book information at: Poetry Town.See Barbara Hantman's review of
Torrence-Thompson's CELEBRATING A TAPESTRY OF LIFE (Torderwarz Publishing
Company)at:The Pedestal Magazine

Christmas Memories

"Joy to the World,"
rang out as I sleepily slid downstairs
while Aunt Esther was finishing
her famed salmon croquettes
and fluffy scrambled eggs

We opened our gifts
to many surprises that year
as we were entertained by poetic CDs
from Walt Whitman and Elizabeth Bishop
to Gwendolyn Brooks and Langston Hughes

Christmas dinner at Vonnie's
with aunts, cousins
and friends was prefaced
with thanks for the bountiful feast
and gathering of loved ones

Our day was interrupted
when we drove our son to the train station
but snow and sleet marred our view
Poorly plowed roads
and momentarily frozen wipers
made our trip more treacherous

After a safer drive from the station
with clearer roads and visibility,
we stripped off furs and boots,
warmed ourselves by a cracking fire,
drinking hot cider, and enjoying
soulfully sung carols
wafting through the frost-fettered air